Situated a few feet from the "Welcome to New York" sign, Mary Bayles Park welcomes people arriving…read morefrom the Bridgeport Ferry and Long Island with a grand view of Port Jefferson Harbor. This is a view that I have enjoyed when spending time in Port Jefferson. Mary Bayles Park is a very small park tucked in between the Bridgeport Ferry ramp and Danford's. Although the park is small, the waterfront environment is spectacular. This is a view of Port Jefferson Harbor fronting the Long Island Sound with Connecticut in the distant horizon. It is a view that includes the Bridgeport Ferry that is a few feet away. This is a prime spot to watch the ferry entering and leaving the harbor. I have enjoyed this view from sitting on the benches and standing on the dock extension over Port Jefferson Harbor. Spending time here is spending time in a Port Jefferson Harbor portrait. When I took in this panoramic view of Port Jefferson Harbor, I shared it with my Dad and somebody else. That somebody else, is "The Soldier Statue." Standing in a landscaped garden facing Port Jefferson Harbor since the mid 1980s, "The Soldier Statue" has paid tribute to the shipbuilders who answered to the call of country, commerce, whaling, and pleasure. Mary Bayles Park borders Danford's to the east. If it weren't for Danford's, it would be practically contiguous to the far larger Harborfront Park on the other side. Because the park is so small and that Danford's takes up the eastern view, it would be easy to mistake it as Danford's property. If I did not spot the Mary Bayles Park sign, I might of thought that Danford's owned it. Because I currently live in Las Vegas, it is hard for me to return here. If I still lived on Long Island, I could see myself stopping at the Starbucks or Dunkin on Main Street (NY 25A) then savoring my coffee here while watching the Bridgeport Ferry take off towards Connecticut in the horizon or docking in the harbor. In the shadow of the "Welcome to New York" sign, Mary Bayles Park, has been a first-rate spot where I enjoyed being in front of Port Jefferson Harbor while taking in the Bridgeport Ferry. Supporting my four star rating are the photographs I posted with this review.

Just a charming park right along the waterfront with lots of benches and tables. Great for people,…read moreduck & boat watching and we enjoyed seeing the ferry load and unload. Lots of monuments plaques and sculptures here. We watched the boats pass by and walked along the dock too.

Avalon Nature Preserve is a nice place to go hiking. I've always enjoyed being outdoors, taking in…read morethe scenery, listening to the birds, and meeting others who share my love for mini adventures. Upon arriving, my husband and I parked in the Forest parking lot, which had ample parking spaces and a map, laying out available trail options. We began with the Hilltop Meadow, which we completed fairly quickly. After, we thought we'd challenge ourselves a bit more by taking on the Forest Sanctuary. We enjoyed this trail, although we sometimes had to look over our shoulders to investigate the noises around us. Everything kept us on our toes, from squirrels to deer, chipmunks, and other wildlife. The terrain may be difficult for some, due to the tree roots and the uphill climbs, but other than that, it was manageable. We appreciated that there were several signs posted throughout the park, helping us to keep track of our location. Additionally, there were warning signs reminding us of the possibility of tick exposure. One thing is for sure: we kept it moving and thoroughly checked our clothing afterwards. My favorite trail of the day was The Mill Pond. I loved the well-paved paths and the overall layout. I could've spent hours here. I highly recommend this park for those who enjoy the outdoors.

What a beautiful and peaceful sanctuary, in spite of the loud and obnoxious couple talking behind…read moreus, who we let pass us. This lovely Park and Preserve is so nicely designed and affords places to sit and ponder or look out for turtles and birds and all sorts of things. We visited on a beautiful day during the week and it wasn't very crowded. I can imagine this place is probably pretty popular and might not be as tranquil but I'm so glad I came when I did. Plus, dogs are allowed! That was a huge bonus for me. I would absolutely recommend and come back. It's not a difficult hike but there are a set of stairs which might be challenging for some. There was also a cool stone path labyrinth and Zen garden.

Our friends said let's get together on Saturday. Want to go to dinner? Nah, let's hang out at the…read morebeach. Hang out? Now I live by west meadow beach in Stony Brook. There are a lot of rules! No dogs, keep the noise down and be courteous of the plantings. Cedar Beach has a much more pleasant vibe. There's a live band playing and you can bring a cooler with no hassle from the local police. We have a Brookhaven virtual summer pass and cedar beach is a town beach. There's a Veteran discount on the pass, high five Brookhaven! There's a reason why the next town is "Rocky Point". The beaches on the north shore are so rocky! The beaches on the south shore are powered sand, this is a south shore thing that I always like to point out. (My beach growing up was Smiths Point) The band is playing CCR, we're drinking cold beers and having a good time at Cedar Beach. The sun is setting and now we're getting up to dance? I like hanging out.

This is a pretty beach and nice place to walk or enjoy the sun but there are several deficiencies…read more They don't open the bathrooms in the winter. Lots of huge puddles in the parking lot and on the beach road after it rains. We recently saw a dead hawk and several dead seagulls that have been left to waste away, I guess no-one patrols the area. Litter throughout the beach that needs to be picked up. Multiple dumped canoes in the grass that are not locked up and not supposed to be placed here.

I will give this park four stars for what it is, a nice place to take a walk or do laps in the…read moreneighborhood. The paved asphalt path is stated to be 1,820 feet, 0.35 miles. The path is a much more enjoyable walk then going to the local High School track. There are also trails into the woods. They intersect at a geometric pattern made from slate stone with with three stone benches.

Visit Date: July 17, 2020…read more I came here to go on a hike. I use hiking, biking and roller skating on quads to cross train cardio for when I run. I also do dessert fairy dusting so I plan out my hiking visits to coincide some dusting drops. I loved this park but I had no idea it was so small. The cement trail is only .4 of a mile. By the time I drive to a new trail to check it out I usually don't have much time to hike on it before I should head back home, take a shower and do whatever else I'm doing for that day so I usually will only get a mile maybe two on a trail but for this trail I had to walk around it multiple times, weaving in and out of the wooded side paths in order to make at least one mile of hiking. Other than it being so tiny it was a nice little well maintained park. If you're a novice hiker or a runner looking for a fairly safe place to do hikes this park is good for you.

Came up to visit family and left with a new favorite park. Seriously, all parks should take notes…read morebecause this park is amazing. First off, free sunscreen..never seen that at a park before. A huge, paved walking trail that also has a giant field in the middle of it. An Italian ice shop for when the kids need a sweet treat. There's so much to do here and we love that for our busy body kids! Can't wait to come back :)

Heritage Park is in an area that I have an attachment to. Growing up here in the 1980s, I remember…read morewhen Route 25A was a semi rural road that abutted Davis Peach Farm in Mount Sinai. In the mid 1990s, when I was in my twenties, suburbia conquered the acres of open peach farms at a time when the Route 347 sprawl entended east along Route 25A. In 2013, there was a positive turn of events. On the triangular parcel of former peach farm lane bounded by NY 25A, Coram-Mount Sinai Road, and County Route 83; a developer proposed constructing a home improvement store. Concurrently, the local residents with Brookhaven Township derailed these plans and instead created a beautiful park where residents from all over can enjoy a public space. Heritage Park was born. By now, I was living in Las Vegas. In recent times when I visited my Dad, we had spent time here on four occasions before dining in Lotus East. The way we have experienced Heritage Park is walking the 0.7 mile oval walking path counter clockwise with three bench stops. This review discusses the four experiences here from the perspective of walking the peripheral trail counter-clockwise. To begin with, this is a concrete trail that is level. This has been beneficial to my dad who has had foot issues. Getting on the trail northbound we take in the historic Heritage House. This is a community center that houses local events. For park users this is one of two restroom locations. Continuing north, the Davis Peach farm history lives on with preserved farming equipment by a red barn. As the trail curves west at the triangular northern tip of the park, a community garden and diminutive forest appear to the back of the Heritage House. This is where we sit after walking around the park. Traveling northbound parallel to County Route 83, there are sporadic young trees that have been gradually maturing. Within a few years, I expect them to bring shade to a park that was formerly farmland. It is along this segment where we take our first bench break in a square called "The Court of Americas." This is a neat area where the garden is shaped like the USA that is framed with bricks displaying the names of every US President. From this spot, there is a clear view of the butterfly garden and central walkways. Continuing north, then following an S-curve, my eyes take in the open grass, soccer fields, and baseball fields to the left. At the S-curve, I have seen the most nature in the park that includes rabbits and robins. At the northern preiphery, the trail turns to the left to follow NY 25A. From here, I could see the expanse of open grass reaching towards the Heritage House. Turning to the south, I sometimes cut across the play knoll. I believe that this is the highest point of the park. The trail now parallels Coram-Mount Sinai Road with the soccer field to the left. This is where our second bench stop is. It is a scenic spot that overlooks a decorative waterfall with a miniature pine forest slope providing the backdrop of a putting green fronting open grass reaching towards Route 25A. Continuing north towards the parking lot, the park turns children's friendly. There is a Kids Maze and a playground. What the park is not, is doggy friendly. Dogs are prohibited. Heading more north the scenery features the parking lot to the right with open grass to the left. By now we have walked 0.7 miles. We will conclude the loop at bench stop three overlooking the community garden. Depending on the visit, we have done a second loop or walked back to the car. Speaking of parking. The parking lot is off of Coram-Mount Sinai Road. On all four of our visits there has been sufficient parking. I would like to add that the parking lot is convenient to the the North Shore Rail Trail. Only a short walk along Coram-Mount Sinai Road then across Route 25A is a 10-mile paved trail that connects Mount Sinai to Wading River. This short walk extends the Heritage Park experience into a regional hike or bicycle ride. If I still lived on Long Island, I would partake in it. In conclusion, I give Heritage Park 4-stars. The local residents and Brookhaven Township have created something special.

Haven't been in a while but it's so beautiful so calming and a great place to study-…read moreThe stained glass windows always got me

This is my favorite spot to come when I want to be alone with nature. Although the lake loop is…read moresmall, the park has much to offer. Firstly, the wildlife spotting here is excellent. The lake is home to swans, ducks, turtles, deer, birds (they even have birdwatcher gatherings here), frogs, and squirrels to name a few. Every time I go I am amazed at how many pictures of wildlife and nature I end up with. Secondly, the park is beautiful in any season and offers hiking, events, and peaceful walks for the neighborhood. In the summer they have live music. There is lots of parking around if the small parking lot is filled.

Here's the Scoop: This is a beautiful park in the town of Brookhaven. It has a children's park,…read moresoccer field, track, baseball and swing area. It has pieces of the World Trade Center Memorialized with stories of heroic animals who saved lives during 911. The many trained rescue dogs worked tirelessly to find people trapped under the World Trade Center. This monument celebrates their efforts and the trainers who worked with them. This is such a beautiful well maintained park. My husband and came here for a barbecue. I'm so glad I decided to come. The park is very relaxing and manicured. The gazebo has lights so you can sit in it when it gets dark. It has functioning electrical outlets as well. I will definitely come to another event given here. Signs posted state you need to have park permit as well. If you're ever in the area this is the park to check out.

A beautiful large well maintained park containing 2 baseball fields and a soccer field. Walking…read morein, there are picnic tables under a large gazebo and a large children's playground to the side. The baseball fields are turfed with grass outfield. There is a large parking lot, but what cost this one star is that there are no restroom facilities! You gotta use a port a potty right next to the dugout...